Okehampton Argyle Veterans 6

Bideford Veterans 1

OKEHAMPTON kicked off their competitive season with this fine victory in their first ever league fixture.

It was always going to be a tough day for Bideford as they arrived with a bare eleven and Okehampton would make full use of the roll on – roll off substitutions to rest aging legs.

Gradually the hosts grew in to the game and squandered a couple of half chances before Chris Drew finished with some aplomb after receiving a through ball from Winser.

This settled the home side and they soon started to play some decent football, full-backs Dearing and Hitchen getting forward at every opportunity.

Bideford were always in the game and keeper Blatchford was called upon to keep their lead intact a number of times.

Five minutes before the break Okehampton did double their lead, Tim Shaw this time the beneficiary of a Winser assist.

Bideford started the second period brighter and continued to frustrate Okehampton with some good ball retention although they rarely threatened during this period of dominance.

The home side made them pay in the 52nd minute when they increased their lead, a fine ball down the channel saw Shaw's pace outstrip the defence and just beat the keeper to the ball.

With him hopelessly out of position Shaw beat him to cross the ball and two or three Okehampton players had a chance to finish the move, but it was not until Agnew's arrival into the box that had the net bulging once again.

Three nil became six nil within five minutes as Winser who had been provider for the first three goals, eventually got his name on the score-sheet with a slide-rule finish that went in off the far post.

The fifth goal of the afternoon was probably the pick of the bunch, as Maddax found room through the middle before rifling his shot into the top right-hand corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.

Steve Pitts completed the scoring for the home side with another fine finish going in off the far post.

Bideford were hampered further when their striker pulled a hamstring and with no subs he had to go in goal.

To their credit though, they never gave up and were rewarded with a consolation goal when Okehampton failed to clear a goalmouth scramble and the ball fell to an unmarked player at the far post to calmly slot home.

Okehampton have started their season in fine style with a very polished performance, several players rolling back the years.

They are sure to be tested in their next fixture though, away at Barnstaple on Sunday, October 16.

Special thanks to Tom Pengelly, Aaron Dearing and Ryan Gross who ran the line for both sides during the game.